Marlene Bergquist passed away peacefully Friday evening, October 15th, surrounded by family, falling into the fullness of God’s grace. She was 86. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Eugene Bergquist; her parents, Albert & Gertrude Graff, her brother Albert, and sisters Garnet, Aagot, Beatrice, and Irene. She is survived by three sisters, Doris, Evelyn, and Corrine, and by her three children, 5 granddaughters, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Marlene was born and raised on a farm in Kindred, North Dakota in 1935, the youngest of 9 children. By the age of 22, she had met and married Eugene Bergquist, a plumber by trade. Together they adopted and raised 3 children: Wayne, and twins Lisa & Lori. In 1966 they moved out west, along with two other families, to Beaverton, Oregon. They built a house and settled there for over 40 years. Marlene and her family were long-time members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, in Beaverton.
Marlene was known for her hospitality and good cooking & canning. The kitchen table was always the center of her home, where friends would often stop by to share food, drinks, and stories. She jokingly liked to “give everyone a hard time.” She was also known for her beautiful flowerbeds and embroidery. She and Gene liked to bring their trailer camping, and especially enjoyed trips to Hood Canal and the Oregon coast. They spent many winters in Mesquite, NV and Yuma, AZ, in the company of good friends.
While raising children Marlene took in ironing. She later worked as a secretary at Canyon Plumbing, the shop that she and Gene owned and operated for many years until they retired in 1997. They downsized and moved to a home in the quiet country town of Donald, Oregon in 2012.
Marlene will be greatly missed by friends and family. A memorial service will be held at the church where she has been a member for the past 9 years, Christ Lutheran Church in Aurora, Oregon at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 23rd, 2021. Flowers can be sent to the church between 12:00-2:00 PM on the 23rd.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.finleysunsethills.com for the Bergquist family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6